Taiwan to Implement 0.5% Sulphur Cap in 2019

Beginning 1 January 2019, all vessels entering Taiwanese ports will be required to use fuel with a sulphur content of less than 0.5%.

A statement from Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced the move in conjunction with a subsidy beginning from 1 February 2017 of NT$5,000 (US$171.25) for all vessels entering Taiwanese ports that make the change to lower-sulphur fuels before the implmentation date of 1 January 2019, according to S&P Global’s Platts market data service.

The move comes a year before International Maritime Organisation rules lower the sulphur cap for marine fuels to 0.5% from 3.5%, on 1 January 2020.